Service apparatus



- c. H. BOCK SERVICE APPARATUS F iled Dec. 17, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 vVINVENTOR zaegvcs /7. 30cm AfTORNEY l l\ I l Feb. 8, 1938. BQCK' SERVICEAPPARATUS I I Filed Dec. 17/1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v 51 'l y I- v o IINVENTOR CZ. 'QEENCE h. doc/r BY ATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1938. c. H. BOCKSERVICE APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Shet 5 Filed Dec.- 17, 1954 v INVENTOR C2.weave: H Boa/r ATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1938. v c H B 7 2,107,850

' SERVICE 'APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1934 5 Shets-heet 5 III INVENTOR G.czweg/vas ATTORNEY Patented 'Feb. 8, .1938

1 UNITED STATES;

' snnvrcn APPARATUS Clarence H. Bock', Detroit, Mich, assignorto BendixAviation Corporation, South Bend, 11111., a corporation of DelawareApplication December 11, 1934., Serial No. 151,930

17Qlaims.

. This invention relates to service apparatus and more particularly toan apparatus for testing the brakes of a motor vehicle. 7

Broadly the invention comprehends an apparatus for testing the brakes ofa motor vehicle ineluding a plurality of hydraulic lifts, one supportingparallel runways having thereon hydraulically actuated brake testingunits adapted to rotate the wheelsof the vehicle against the resistanceof their associated brakes, and the other so arranged as to raise thevehicle from the brake testing units so that wheels of the vehicle maybe freely rotated to ascertain whether or not the brakes drag or toremove the wheels for replacement or repair of the brakes;

' The various instrumentalities assembled in the apparatus are soarranged and connected one with another that an electrical motor-drivenv pump delivers fluid under pressure from a reservoir to a chamber toelevate one of the lifts. When thislift is elevated to its maximum, a

' -valve which is set to open at a predetermined pressure above thatrequired to elevate the lift opens andfluid is delivered throughsuitable conduits to fluid actuated motors arranged to drive respectivebrake testing units,.and the fluid is returned from the motors throughsuitable conduits to the reservoir. A control valve is provided so thatthe fluid pressure motors may be I stopped at the will of the operator,and upon stopping the fluid pressure motors a safety valve functions toprevent rupture of the apparatus' Upon completing an operation'on thebrake rtesting units it may be found desirable to freely as rotate thewheels to ascertain whether or not the brakes drag. Under theseconditions a manually operated valve is manipulated to admit fluid tothe second lift to raise the vehicle clear of the brake: testing units.Upon completion of both tests the electrical motor is cut out and themanually-operated valve is again manipulated to permit the return of thefluid to the reservoir. whereupon both of the lifts move to their normalpositions. V An object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic lifthaving thereon a pluralityof hydraulically' actuated braketesting-units.

" Another object of the invention is to, provide a hydraulic lift havingthereon hydraulically actuated brake testing units, the lift and braketesting Q ll lifts, one having thereon parallel runways supporting aplurality of hydraulically actuated brake testing units, and theother'arranged for raising the vehicle from the brake testing units.

A further object of the invention is to provide a service apparatus fora motor vehicle in- 5 eluding a hydraulically actuated lift supportingparallel runways having thereon hydraulically actuated brake testingunits, and a second hydraulic lift for raising the vehicle from thebrake testing'units, and means for delivering fluid un- 10 der pressureto the lifts and the brake testing units for actuation thereof.

Other objects of the invention will appear froni the followingdescription taken in connection with the drawings forming a part of thisspeciflcation and in which,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a service apparatus illustrating a motorvehicle in position thereon;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus;-

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a brake testing unit; 20

Fig. 4 is a sectional view substantially on line 4-4. P18. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view substantially on line 5-5, Fig. 3; Fig.6 is a vertical sectional view partly broken :5

Fig. '7 is a sectional -view of the relief valve;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the fluid pressure valve; 1 I

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of one of the control so valves; and

Fig.'10 is a top plan view of the valve illustrated in Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference numerals indicatesimilar parts through- 35 out the similar views thereof, Iii represents9. cylinder closed atone end and open at its other end. A small sectionof the cylinder adjacent its open end has an increased diameterproviding a shoulder i2, and a circumferential flange 40 I4 is providedat the open end of the cylinder. This cylinder may be embedded in theearth up to the flange ll, preferably the flange i4 isflush with thesurface of the earth or the surface of the floor of a motor vehicleservice station.

v A double diametral sleeve it fitted in the open end of the cylinderhas a shoulder l8 and a circumferential flange 20. The shoulder I8 isopposed to the shoulder I! with suitable packing therebetween, and theflange 20 overlays the 50 flange It on the cylinder and is suitablysecured thereto as bybolts. Another sleeve 22 is fitted in that portionof the sleeve it having the larger diameter, .and the inner diameter ofthis sleeve corresponds to the inner diameter of that pordoublediametral sleeve with suitable packing therebetween.

A piston 28 mounted for reciprocation in'the sleeves I6 and 22 has ahead 36 spaced from the inner end of the piston to provide a chamber 32,

and formed on the extreme inner end of this. piston is a guide 34 fittedsnugly in the cylinder III. The upper or outer end of the piston has adouble diametral section of greater diameter than the piston .providinga shoulder 36 and a shoulder 38, and formed on the extreme upper end ofthe pistonisaflange46. v

An annular plate 42' bolted or otherwise secured to the flange 46supports corresponding beams 44 arranged in'spaced relation to oneanother and equi-distant from the axis of the cylinder I6 or the piston28. The beams 44 support parallel channel members or runways 46 and 48having corresponding sides 56 which serve as protective guides for thewheels of a vehicle when driven on the runway and as strengtheningmembers for the runways, and suitably attached to the respective ends ofeach guide way is a ramp 62 so that a motor vehicle may be easily drivenontov and. off of the runway. The runways are slotted as indicated at54, and these slots are arranged symmetrically about, the piston for thereception of four brake testing units. Each brake testing unit includesa frame 56 having flanged rollers 58 mounted thereon for travel on therunways with their flanges engaging the parallel side edges of theperiphery deflning the slots so that the travel of the rollers will beconfined in a path parallel to the longitudinal axis. of the runways.The frame" is suspendedfrom the rollers 58 and suitably secured tothe-respective ends of the frames are protective guides 66 bridging theslots 54.

Spaced shafts 62 and 64 are suitably iournaled on the frames 66, andcorresponding corrugated rollers 66 and 68 are keyed respectively to therespective shafts. The peripheries of these rollers intercept ahorizontal plane slightly above the surface of the runways, and therollers are sufliciently spaced to provide a suitable seat for theconventional wheel of a motor vehicle. Sprockets 16 and 12 are keyedrespectively to the respective shafts," and 64, and a sprocket chain 14connects the sprockets. The shaft 62 hasco'nnected thereto a gear 16 inmesh with a relatively smaller gear 18 mounted on the frame and suitablyconnected to an indicating device 86 such as a tachometer mounted on aninstrument board attached to the'side of one of the runways, and theshaft 64 has keyed thereto one of the gears of a fluidpressure motor 82.

'The frames of the oppositely disposed brake testing units are connectedby cross bars 84 and 86 so that the units of the respective'p'airs maymove. together, and, to provide folconcurrent movement of the respectivepairs of brake testingunits'so that symmetrical loading of the pistonmay be had, a rod 88 suitably supported for rotation has its endsreversely threaded as indicated at-86 and 62. The threaded portion Wonthe rod is received byan internally threaded* sleeve 84 on the cross bar84, and the threaded portion 82 on the rod is received by an internallyeled gear 86 keyed on and a hand wheel I64 is keyed on the other end ofthe shaft I62. By rotating the hand wheel the respective pairs of braketesting units may be moved toward or away from one another toaccommodate motor vehicles having different wheel bases.

.;In testing the brakes associated with the wheels of a motor vehicle itis frequently desirable to elevate the vehicle so that the wheels may bethe rod 88 meshes with a beveled gear I66 keyed on one end of a shaftI62,

freely rotated to ascertain whether or not the shoulder 36 on the piston28 with suitable packing therebetween, and a flange II6 overlaying theshoulder 38 and suitably secured thereto as by bolts. The section ofthesleeve I66 having the larger diameter receives a relatively shortsleeve II2, and between the inner end of this sleeve and the shoulderI68 is a suitable packing. and the sleeve II2 has a flange 'II4overlaying the flange I I6 and suitably secured thereto by bolts.

A piston H6 is supported for reciprocation by.

the sleeves I66 and II2. This piston has a head II8 spaced from theinner end thereof to provide a chamber I26 forward ofthe head and areservoir I22 back of the head, and fitted in the upper or outer end ofthe piston is a bracket I24 supporting a carriage including parallelbeams I26 and I28 suitably spaced apart and of suflicient communicationwith the reservoir I 22 and its discharge port is connected to a controlvalve I38. This valve communicates as at I46 directly with the chamberI26 and also by a pipe I42, extending through a packing gland I44 in thehead of the piston 28, with chamber 32. The valve I38 is controlled by asectionalized rod I46 having an overrunning connection I 48, and abeveled gear I56 on the rod meshes with a bevel gear I52 on a shaft I54to which is keyed a hand wheel I66. Y e

A pipe I68 connected to the pipe I42 is threaded in a port in the headII8 of the piston H6, and a short section of pipe I66 also threaded inthe port is connected to a fluid pressure valve I62 set to open ata'predetermined pressure. This valve is connected in turn by a short pipesection I64 to a relief valve I66, and the relief valveis connected by asection of pipe I68 and a flexible conduit I16 to a control valve I12actuated by a rod The valve I12 is connected by a pipe I16 and flexibleconduits I18 and I86 and sections of pipe I82 and I84 to the intakeports of the fluid pres-' sure motors 82, the dischargeports of whichare connected by pipes I86 and I86 and flexible conduits I86 and I82 toa section of pipe I84' connected by a flexible conduit I86 to a pipe I88discharging into the reservoir. I

In operation, the respective pairs of the brake testing units areadjusted either toward or from one another.,by-rotatingthehand wheel.I84 on the shaft I82. ,This shaft drives thegear- III in mesh with thegear-88 on the rod 88 resulting in rotating therod 88, whereupon thethreaded portionsSIlv and 92 on: the endsof the rod travel in theinternally threaded. sleeves 84 and 88 on the cross bars 84 and 88connecting the brake testing units in-pairs. This results in moving therespective pairs of brake testers toward or away from one another,dependent upon the direction of rotation of the hand wheel I84.

After adjusting the braketesting units to the wheel base of the vehicle,the brakes of which are to undergo a test, the vehicle is driven overthe ramps 52 through the runways 48 and 48 until,

the respective wheels of the vehicle are seated on the rollers oftherespective brake'testing units.

' -The motor I34 is then energized to actuate the pump I30. Uponactuation the pump delivers fluid under pressure from the reservoir I22to the -chamber 32. This results in actuation of the piston 28 witha=consequent elevation of the runways 48 and 48..

When the piston 28 reaches its maximum elevation, or upon reaching apredetermined pressure in the chamber 32, the fluid pressure valve I82cracks and the-fluid under pressure is delivered up to the valve 2. Ifthis yalve is closed, the safety valve I88 cracks and any surplus fluidis returned to the reservoir I22. With the piston 28 in its maximumelevation, the brake testing units on the runways are at an elevationwhere an operator may conduct a test of the brakes and make suchadjustments and repairs as may be found necessary without discomfort.

If upon movement of the piston 28 to its maxi-,

.- against the resistance of their associated brakes.

As the fluid is discharged from the motors 82, it passes through thepipes I88 and I88, the flexible conduits I98 and I92, and pipe line I84,flexible conduit I98 and pipeline I98 to the reservoir.

Upon completion of the test on the brake testing units it may becomedesirable to elevate the vehicle so that further tests may be conductedwherein the wheels may be freely rotated to ascertain whether or not thebrakes drag. This may be accomplished by closing the valve I12 to stopthe brake testing units and adjusting the valve I38 so that the pumpwill deliver fluid to the chamber I28. Fluid under pressure in thechamber I28 actuates the piston I I8, resulting in elevating theparallel beams I28 and I28 with a consequent lifting of the vehicleclear of the brake testing units. With the vehicle in this position thetest may be concluded, and upon conclusion of the test the operator cutsout the motor I34 and opens the valve I88, whereupon the pistons 28 andI I8 return to their normal posi tions and the car may be propelledunder its own power over the runways and down the ramp.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certainspecific embodiments, the

principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications-thatwill-readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention is,therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described the various features of the invention, what Iclaim as new. and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

l. A service apparatus comprising a hydraulic lift, hydraulicallyactuated brake testing units on the lift, and common fluid pressuremeans for actuating the lift and brake testing units. Y

2. A service apparatus comprising a hydraulic lift, hydraulicallyactuated brake testing units on the lift, and common fluid pressuremeans for actuating the lift and brake testing units in sequence.

3. A service apparatus comprising a hydraulic "lift, hydraulicallyactuated' brake testing units on the lift, means for adjusting the braketesting means for actuating the lift and brake testing 4. A serviceapparatus comprising a hydraulic lift, parallel runways on the lift,hydraulically actuated brake testing units on the runways, means forsimultaneously adjusting the brake testing units symmetrically of thelift, and fluid pressure means for actuating the lift and brake testingunits.

5. A service apparatus comprising a hydraulic lift, parallel runways onthe lift, hydraulically actuated brake testing units on the runways,means for adjusting the brake testing units symmetrically of the lift, asecond lift between the runways, and fluid pressuremeans for actuatingthe lifts and the brake testing units.

6. A service apparatus comprising telescopic lifts, brake testing unitson one of the lifts, sup ports on the other lift, and fluid pressuremeans for actuating the lifts and the brake testing units.

7. A service apparatus comprising telescopic lifts, brake testing unitson one of the lifts, means for adjusting the braketesting 'unitssymmetrically of the lift, supports on the other lift, and fluidpressure means-for actuating the lifts and the brake testing units.

8. A service apparatus comprising telescopic lifts, parallel runways onone of the lifts, four longitudinally movable brake testing units on therunways, means for adjusting the brake testingunits symmetrically of'thelifts, parallel supports on the other lift between the runways, andfluidpressure means for actuating the lifts and the brake testing units.

9. A service apparatus comprising telescopic lifts, parallel runways onone of the lifts, four brake testing units on the runways, means foradjusting the brake testing units symmetrically of the lifts, a fluidactuated motor for operating each brake testing unit, supports on theother lift, and fluid pressure means for actuating the lifts and themotors.

10. A service apparatus comprising a cylinder,

telescopic pistons in the cylinder, brake testing units on one of thepistons, supports on the other piston, and fluid pressure means foractuating the pistons and the brake testing units.

11. A service-apparatus comprising a cylinder, telescopic pistons in thecylinder, parallel runways on the outer piston, brake testing units onthe I runways, means for adjusting the brake testing the pistons and thebrake testing units.

12. A service apparatus comprising a lift including telescopic pistons,a fluid reservoir in the inner piston, and means for selectivelydelivering fluid from the reservoir to the heads of the re spectivepistons.

13. A service apparatus comprising arlift including telescopic pistons,a fluid reservoir in one of the pistons, and a pump in the reservoir fordelivering fluid from the reservoir to the heads of and means connectedto the pump for the delivery of fluid from the reservoir to the heads ofthe respective pistons and to the brake testing units.

15. A service apparatus comprising a movable support, a plurality ofbrake testing .units on the support, a fluid pressure motor foroperating each brake testing unit. and fluid pressure means foractuating the support and the motors.

16. A service apparatus comprising two telescopic pistons, supports onone of the pistons, a plurality of movable brake testingunits on theother piston, a fluidpressure motor for actuatingeach brake testingunit, and fluid pressure means for actuating the piston and the motors.

17. In a service apparatus, brake testing units for at least two wheelsof an automotive vehicle, each comprising spaced shafts, rollers on theshafts, means connecting the shafts for concomitantmovement, a fluidpressure motor for driving one of the shafts, a common source of fluidpressure for all units and means for indicating the t 15 speed ofrotation of each motor.

